Material holder for slicing machines



A. M. HILL. MATERIAL HOLDER FOR SLIDING MACHINES.

I APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7, I920.

-4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

A. M. HILL. MATERIAL HOLDER FOR SLICING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7, 1920.

Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

4 5HEETSSHEET 2.

m IKWWW A. M. HILL. MATERIAL HOLDER FOR SLICING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7, I920- Patented Apr. 11, 1922 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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A. M. HILL.

MATERIAL HOLDER FORSLICING MAC HINES. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7, 1920.

$412,244. Y Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

,4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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AGTON M. HILL, 0]? HORNELL; NEW YORK. ASSIGNOR TO THE A. J. DEER COMPAN'YQH rares t,

mconroaafin, or HORNELL. NEW YORK. A CORPQRAT-ION 0E NEW-YORK.

MATERIAL HOLDER FOR SLICING MACHINES.

. Application filed September 7, 1920. Serial No. 4 I) 8,505.

To all icliom it may concern." 7

Be it known that 1, Aaron M. HILL, a citizen of the United States, residing in llornell. in the county of Steuben andState of New York. have invented new and useful Improvements in Material Holders for Slicing Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a material holder for slicing machine which lSlllOlB particularly designed for gripping the material at one end-thereof so that the knife of the-machine can cut the material into slices to its very end and thus avoid waste as well as profit in the commercial handling of such materials which are usually sold to the trade in a sliced condition.

The principalobject of this invention is to provide a material holder of this character which will reliably hold the material 'atone end thereof while slices are being cut therefrom at its opposite end.

A further object is to so design the several parts that the same can be operated easily. are not liable to get out of order. can be readily cleaned and are of simple construction.

In the accompanying drawings Figure' 1 is a sectional front elevation oi a slicing machine having a material holder embodying one form of my invention. Figure 2. is a rear elevation of the same. Figure 3 is a ho izontal section taken on line i l-3, Fig. 1. Figure 4 is a vertical section on line 4-4, Fig. 2 showing the material grippers in an open position. Figure 5 a similar view showing the grippers closed. Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section. on an enlarged scale. taken on line (3( Fig. l, and show- -ing the manner of securing the fixed jaw of a gripper to the main frame. Figure 7 is a vertical section taken on line 7-7. Fig. (3.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the grippers employed in the organization .shown in Figs. l7. Figure 9 is a sectional front elevation of a slicingmachine equipped with a modified form of my improvement. Figure 10 is a rear elevation of the same. Figure ll is a horizontal section taken on line l11l, Fig. 9. Figure 12 is a vertical section taken on line 12-42, Fig. 10 and showing the grippers open. Figure 13 is a similar view showing the grippers closed. Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional perspect-ive view showing the manner of guid- Specification of Letters Patent. j f p uted 'A l) 1-, 111, 19,22

ing the gripper actuating means onthennrin frame. Figure 15 is a']. crspcct.ive vicw of one of the rippers used in the constrnctioni shown in ligs. 942-3. i

Similar characters of reference i'ci'er to" supported on its underside while being. moved relatively to the knrle or cutterfill which cuts slices successively from the frontg. 1 end of this inaterlal. ()llit) ()ltlll $'t2ll)lt 1S- arranged the holder whereby the niaterialtt'o, be sliced is grasped at its rear end and heldv in place while being moved toward and from the cutter and also while bein advanced..

step by step to the cutting line. The embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1-8 is constrlu ted as l'ollow' 22 represents a supporting plate wliiclris= slidablc lengthwise on the upper side otithc table and provided adjaccntto its opposite longitudinal edges with upright posts or pil' lars 23. Above the supporting plateand-"be-,- f1:

tween these posts is arranged a gripperframe which in its preferred form comprises an upright ilat backing plate. .24 which is arranged transversely of the supporting plate and a rim .25 which projects rearwardly from the marginal parts of this backing, plate. The gripper frame is dctacliably mounted on the posts byscats 2b arranged at one upright edge of the gripper frame and I engaging one of the posts and a clanip 2? arranged on the opposite upright edge oi the gripper frame and engaging the-other post. as shown in Figs. 1 3. The backingplatc'ol' thc'grippcr frame is. provided with a plurality oi: horizontal slots- ZH which are arranged in aacrtical row and below each of these slots the backing plate is provided with a horizontal row of openings 2!) each oi which is of forwardly',tapei' iug 'i'ornr and provided with an internal screw thread.

Mounted on the gripper frame is a plu rality oi grippers each oi'which is constructed integrally oi a single piece of spring wire so that the same. is of substantially U-shape and forms a pair of jawswhich are arranged oneabove the otherand are adapted to close and. open fol-grasping and releasing the material to be sliced. .In the'preterred construction each jaw comprises'a longitudinal arm 31 which is provided at itstront end with an inclined beak 32 projecting toward the beak of the companion jaw and the rear end of each arm is connected with the rear end of the companion arm. by a coil spring 33. These grippers are arranged in parallel horizontal rows. the upper jaws of each row having their arms arranged in one of the slots 28 and the lower arm of each gripper being arranged inone of the openings 29 so that the beaks of the same are arranged in trout ot' the backing plate and the coil springs of the same are arranged in rear of t iis plate.

The lower arm of each gripper is preterably held in a fixed position on the backing plate by an externally screw threaded t'orwardly tapering longitudinally split clamping sleeve 34 which surrounds said arm and engages the threads of the opening 28. ("pon screwing the clamping sleeve into the opening the tapering formation of the same causes the sleeve to contract and clutch the lower arm of the gripper so that the same is held rigidly against movement. The upper arm of each gripper is normally held in an elevated position by the resilience of the metal of which the gripper is constructed so that the same is open and adapted to receive the material which is to be grasped. Upon depressing the upper jaw while in engagement with the rear end of the. material the gripper will be closed and both of its beaks will penetrate the back end of the article and hold the same firmly in engagement with the backing plate of the gripper frame. so that the knife can operate efiecti-vely on the. material and properly cut the last slice there.- irom without wastage.

Tho downward movement ot the upper jaws of the several grippers is effected by means which comprise a plurality of shifting bars 35 arranged horizontally and transversely in rear of the backing plate and each bar engaging with the upper side of the upper arms of a horizontal row of grippers. a. plurality of upright connecting bars 36 con necting the shifting bars at suitably points. For instance at the central and end portions thereof. loop shaped guides 37 arranged on the central part of the rear side of the backing plate and receiving the cent ral connecting ha 36 and a. rotary cam 38 engaging with the uppermost shitting ba and pivoted by a. screw 39) the. upper part oi the gripper frame to swing in a vertical plane and provided with an upwardly projecting hand lever in for manipulating the same. l'pon turning the cam so that the same presents the low part of its face to the uppermost shitting bar then the grippers are released and resistance of the same will caug the. same to open and upon turning the cam so that the high pa rt. of its face engages with the uppermost shitting bar then the several shitting bars will be depressed and the grippers will be closed and caused to grip the end of the material placed against the backing plate.

This construction of material holder is ex ceedingly simple, it is efiicient in operation, it consists of but few parts which can be easily cleaned and maintained in a sanitary condition. and also produced at compara-' tively low cost.

in the modified construction of this invention shown in Figs. 945 each of the gripper is constructed integrally of a single piece of fiat spring metal which is bentinto substantially U-shape so as to form two opposing jaws and comprises upper and lower arms :1, 42. upper and lower inclined beaks 4.3, 424, projecting toward each other From the front ends of said gripper arms and a how o cross piece 4:) connecting the rear ends of said arms. The backing plate 46 ot the gripper t'rame provided with a plu rality of vertical slots l? which are arranged in parallel horizontal rows. The arms of one of the grippers are arranged lengthwise in each of these slots so that the beaks thereof are in front of the backing plate and the bow thereof in rear of the same, as shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13. One beak of each gripper is preferably terminated in a pointed end. as shown at 60. and the end of the companion beak is prete ably provided with a. recess 81, so that when these beaks close upon the material they will obtain a secure hold on the same and retain it reliably in place while the cutter is operating thereon. The lower jaw of each of the grippers is preterably fixed by resting the same against the lower end of the slot 47 through which this gripper passes and the several grippers are held in their operative. position relative to the backing plate by grid-like retainers consisting preferably of a plurality of horizontal retaining bars t8 arranged parallel and arch secured to the hows ol one horizontal row of grippers by means of screws 49. or the like. and two upright attaching bars 50 connecting cm'responding cndsot'thc retaining bars and secured to the rim of the gripper frame by screws 51. or similar means.

The upper jaws of the several grippers are moved away l'rom the lower jaws of the same by the resilience ol" the metal or which the same are constructed and the n-ovcment of the upper jaws toward the lower jaw tor grasping the rear end of the material which is placed against the backing plate preparatory to cutting the same into slices is produced by means which are constructed substantially the same l--5 and consist of a plurality of parallel horizontal shifting bars 52 arranged in rear of the backing plate. and each engaging with the upper side ol the upper arms of a horizontal row of grippers. an upright connec"- ing bar 53 connecting the central parts at as these shown in Figs.-

i..;-,. i lie shifting.bars as guaafa loops at l the rea-iflside: o't theabackingaplate, and a' ,7,rp'clging,canii38 pivotedon the upper part of the gripper iframeand engagihg the uppermost, shifting bay and having an upwardly ,jprojecting handle 4-0 formanipiila'ting the same.

;I :claim as'my invention: 1

l. A material holder for slicing machilji'es comprising a frame, a plurality of grippers mounted on said .frame and each having a pair of connected jaws which are relatively movable so as to cause said jaws to grasp the material between or to release the same,

and means for actuating said grippers.

2. A material holder for slicin-g machines comprising a frame, a plurality cf' grippers. mounted on said frame and each having apair of connected jaws which are relatively movable so as to cause said jaws to openand close, each jaw having an arm and a beak projecting from said arm toward the beak of the companion jaw, and means for actuating said grippers for opening and closing the same.

A material holder for slicing machines comprising a plurality of grippers each of which has a pair of cooperating fixed and movable jaws which are integrally connected with each other, a frame provided with a support for the fixed jaw of each gripper, and means for moving the movable-jaw of each grippertoward the companion fixed aw.-

4:. A material holder for slicing machines comprising a plurality of substantially U- shaped grippers each forming two integral jaws which are adaptedto close and open for grasping and releasing the material to be sliced, and'means for operating said grippers.

5. A material 'holder for slicing machines comprising a plurality ofj'substantially'u shaped grippers each forming two integral aws whlch are adapted to close and open for grasping and releasing the material. tobe'sliced, a frame upon which one aw of each gripper is supported in a fixed position, a plurality of shifting bars engaging the other jaws of said gripper an'd means for moving said bars.

6. A material holder for slicing machines comprising a plurality of substantially U-' shaped grippers each forming two jaws which are adapted to close and open for grasping and releasing the material to be slicecha frame upon which one jaw of each gripper is supported in a fixed position, a plurality of shifting bars engaging the other jaws of said grippers and means for moving said bars including a cam movably mounted on said frame and operatively associated with said bars.

7. A material holder for slicing machines comprising a plurality of substantially U- shaped grippers each of which has a sta- 'tionary jaw and a movable jaw movable toward: and; from the compamonxfixed aw,

a frame on which said fixed jaws are mounted, a plurality of shifting bars enfrom the companion'fixed jaw, a frame on which said fixed jaws are mounted, a plurality of shifting bars engaging with-the movable jaws vof the several grippers, connecting bars connecting said shifting bars and guided on said frame, and means for actuating said bars, including a rotary cam pivoted on said frame and engaging one of said shifting bars.

9. A material holder for Slicing machines comprising a plurality of substantially U- shaped grippers each of which is constructed integrally of spring metal to form two jaws which are adapted to close and .open for grasping and releasing the material to be sliced, and means for actuating the jaws of said grippers.

10. Amaterial holder for slicing machines comprising a plurality 'of substantially U- shaped grippers each of which is constructed integrally of spring metal to formjtwo jaws which are adapted to close and open for grasping and releasing the material to be sliced, and a coilconnccting the jaws of integrally of spring wire to form two jaws,

one of which is fixedandjthe other movable, i

and a coil connecting said jaws, a frame upon which the fixed jaw of each gripper is mounted, and means for moving the other movable jaw of each of the the companion fixed jaw.

12. A material holder for slicing machines comprising a plurality of substantially U- shaped grippers each of which is constructed integrally of spring wire 'to form two jaws,

grippers toward one of which is fixed and the other movable, I

and a coil connecting said jaws, a frame upon which the fixed jaw of each gripper is mounted, a frame provided with slots which receive said movable jaws and with internally threaded tapering openings which receive the fixed jaws, and externally screw threaded and longitudinally split clamping sleeves each of which receives the fixed jaw of one of the grippers and engages one of said threaded openings.

13., A material holder for slicing machines comprising a plurality of U-shaped gripgripper 14. A material holder for slicing machines comprising a plurality of U-shaped grippers each having two jaws and a bow connecting the rear ends of said jaws, ar taining bar on which said hows are mounted, and means for opening and closing the jaws of the grippers.

ACTON M. HILL. 

